‘We played in Páirc Uí Chaoimh last week and now we are playing in Croke Park, it’s wonderful’ – Galway’s Áine Keane

The groundsman and his crew were busy on the pitch. Taking care of every blade of grass.

Áine Keane took a seat in the lower Hogan Stand. Her mind drifted back to 2013. Galway had won the O’Duffy Cup for the first time since 1996.

Dan Sheridan’s iconic picture of Therese Maher made the front page as she sank to her knees, her hands clasped in prayer.

Maher had been playing for Galway for 16 years. She had lost five All-Ireland senior finals.

“I was about 10 or 11 at the time,” recalls Keane. “I was watching from the middle of the Hogan Stand.

“It’s a day that I will never forget. We also won the All-Ireland intermediate championship that day.

“The joy of the homecoming celebration made such an impact on me.

“It gave me the aspiration of playing for Galway one day in Croke Park.”

Maher was at the heart of the effort.

“She was such a fantastic player. She gave so much to Galway. She is still helping out. Anytime you meet her, she always has a good word for you.”

No doubt, Maher will be cheering on Galway this Sunday as they meet Waterford in Croke Park for a place in the All-Ireland senior camogie championship semi-final (1.30).

The game is on before the Cork v Limerick All-Ireland SHC semi-final (4.0).

“It’s great to be part of the double-header,” says Keane. “Double-headers with the hurling is the way to go. It’s a welcome initiative.

“They are saying it’s a sell-out. It’s a massive opportunity to be out there in Croke Park on such a huge occasion.

“We played in Páirc Uí Chaoimh last week and now we are playing in Croke Park. It’s wonderful to be playing in grounds like that.”

Waterford were at HQ last season in their first All-Ireland final in 78 years.

Their only previous All-Ireland final appearance was in 1945 when they lost to Antrim.

“Waterford are a fantastic outfit. They have household names like Beth Carton, Lorraine Bray, Niamh Rockett, and other top players too.

“We know we are going to be up against it. We’ll be looking to recover from our defeat to Cork last week.”

Galway were last champions in 2021. In their respective groups this summer, both counties had identical records – three wins, a draw and a defeat.

In their league meeting in Loughrea last March, Galway won by a point. Tipperary beat Galway by a point in the league final in Croke Park.

Last year’s All-Ireland final experience will serve Waterford well.

“It should be a great match,” predicts Keane.